To excel in football, love the sport

TV commercials of anti-hemorrhoid products should not be scheduled at lunchtime. One reader suggests. “It ruins one’s appetite upon hearing ‘almoranas’ being discussed while one is eating,” this reader says.

***

 “It’s as bad to the Cebuano ears when a Tagalog news reporter is heard saying at mealtime. ‘Maraming tao ang nagta-i dahil sa disenteriya.”

***

 The same reader says: “Ta-i is a dirty word and should not be spoken on the dining table.” I have no comment on this issue.

***

 I met Anthony Ruiz III recently (in my house where he came to visit). Tony speaks Chabacano and loves his language very much. But he fears it might be extinct some generations from now.

***

 “Little by little Tagalog is taking over,” Tony said. “It’s in all media — radio, TV, newspapers, books, movies, etc. Now the younger generation in my place speaks Tagalog with impeccable fluency.” He said this is regrettable. “Walay bawt ang Chabacano sa Tagalog,” he shared in Visayan, his parents’ native tongue.

***

 Tony said there was a time when more Filipinos across the nation spoke Cebuano than Tagalog. “Well, not anymore,” he said. Tell that to Lapulapu.”

***

 Former President Erap has advised former President GMA to stay put where she is and face the music. And go to jail if need be. That’s what Erap did and almost got elected President a second time.

***

 Our celebrated Azkals have suffered a series of loses to fellow Asian teams in recent weeks. I think this is not surprising. Correct me if I’m wrong. All our SEA neighbors are crazy about football while we (PHL) have been trying to excel in basketball.

***

 Simon Hock-Ip, a freelance sportswriter from Hong Kong, says if us Pinoys want to do better in football than we do in basketball, there’s only one thing we must do: “Love football.” He shares that of all the nations in Southeast Asia, it’s only us who don’t show much love for football.

***

 Condolences to the Osmeña clan on the death of their mother Lourdes de la Rama Osmeña. Thanks to Georgia O for informing me on the wake and funeral Mass at the Sacred Heart church.

***

 Condolences also to the bereaved family of my friend Steve Alfafara who passed away recently. The Alfafaras used to be our neighbors in Victor Village, Punta Princesa, Cebu City. Rest in peace, Steve.